Purpose: Data on the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) in infants is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring in infants who have experienced BRUE.
Methods: We conducted a prospective study of infants who were hospitalized on account of BRUE and required 24-hour MII-pH monitoring.
Results: Twenty-one infants (mean age, 4.7 months; range, 0.9-8.9 months; male/female, 11/10) participated in this study. BRUE symptoms associated with GER were found in 10 infants (47.6%). Based on the RI on pH-metry alone, only 7 (33.3%) infants were diagnosed with GERD. More than 100 GER episodes detected by MII were found in 10 (47.6%) infants. Nineteen percent of infants were diagnosed with GERD based on both pH and MII.
Conclusion: Both acid and non-acid reflux seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of GER-related BRUE in infants.
Keywords: Apnea; Gastroesophageal reflux; Infant, newborn.
Copyright © 2021 by The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.